A British tourist who cooled his feet in an iconic fountain in central Rome has been fined EUR 500 by local officials.

The 42-year-old holidaymaker had used the centuries-old Fontana della Barcaccia – at the foot of the Spanish Steps – to cool off from the sweltering 40-degree heat.

But Italian police spotted the suspect and slapped him with a hefty EUR-500 (GBP-424) fine on 23rd July, reported local media.

As well as the fine, city officials also banned him from approaching the perimeter of the fountain again.

The harsh punishment is part of measures aimed at protecting Rome’s historic monuments.

One notorious offender – a 30-year-old Canadian visitor – carved her initials into a wall at the Colosseum earlier this month.

And last month, a 28-year-old American holidaymaker caused EUR 25,000 (GBP 21,200) in damage to the Spanish Steps when she flung an e-scooter down the marble staircase.

The Fontana della Barcaccia was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and was completed in 1629.

Its name comes from the shape of a half-sunken boat in its centre.

Police did not reveal the British tourist’s identity.